Noel D'Cunha explains why we need Drupa’s innovations

PrintWeek India was launched in May 2008, it was also the Drupa month and year, our first.

Eight years on, and it’s Drupa season, again.

I came across an article on Faber-Castell, the world’s biggest branded pencil manufacturer, and has been doing so since 1761. One of the things it has been constantly doing is improve a product that users insist has been perfect. And that’s been the best thing with pencil, it writes perfectly even after all these years.

It was thought that pencils would be obsolete with the advent of computers, like print was with the advent of internet. But like sales continue to grow for Faber-Castell, which produces 2.2-bn sticks, print is also growing.

Feber-Castell cut the edges of the cylindrical one, added earser, made firm leads, found wood that protects them, and showed that innovations need never stop.

So, why Drupa?

“If Drupa 2016 means touching the future, go ahead, touch it.” For decades, launches at Drupa has been a big part of economy. It has been a setting for turning points in the adoption of technology in almost every segment of print production, bringing speed, efficiency and quality to the press rooms.

It’s two days to Drupa, and Dusseldorf is buzzing.

There’s HP with the biggest stand, a space the size of a soccer field. 56 machines weighing 230 tons in all – including a slew of new launches. Konica Minolta, Xerox, Ricoh, Epson will also show new digital presses. For years, digital printing has been trying hard to compete with offset. But that is now changing. What will be seen, and as many smart printers are recognising, how these two technologies can complement each other.

In offset, Komori and KBA will launch new presses, while Heidelberg and Ryobi plan to include new features into their presses. These offset manufacturers will also flex their muscles in the digital printing arena, unveiling and launching digital presses.

Then there’s Landa, who we now understand is ready with his nanotechnology presses, and visitors to the stand will be able to take away actual samples. We will find out if Landa technology is ready for prime time.

Actually, there’s lot more in the 1,600+ stands. Go and look with an open mind, there a diversity of opportunities.

And finally, do drop by at the Drupa Daily Report stand, where Rahul Kumar, Rushikesh Aravkar and I will be happy to entertain you with refreshment and a quick bite. And of course, with the latest that transpired at Drupa, if you arrive mid-way.